Paul Scherrer Institute, Villingen
The Paul Scherrer Institute, PSI, is the largest research centre for natural and engineering sciences within Switzerland. They perform world-class research in three main subject areas: Structure of Matter; Energy and the Environment; and Human Health.
As part of its facilities, the Institute is home to a ‘reactor school’, which is a Higher Technical College, which awards the recognized Swiss qualification of “Dipl. Techniker/in (HF)”. Its main activity is the basic theoretical education of licensed operating personnel of nuclear power plants. However, apart from this basic education, various courses are also offered which either provide deeper knowledge of nuclear technology or give a general grounding in the theoretical basis and design of nuclear power plants.
EMPA, Duebendorf
Empa is an interdisciplinary research and services institution for material sciences and technology development. Empa’s research and development activities are oriented to meeting the requirements of industry and the needs of our society, and link together applications-oriented research and the practical implementation of new ideas, science and industry, and science and society.
Empa’s research includes the development of new materials and systems for the supply, conversion and storage of energy, the modelling of the energy system and the demonstration of new concepts in research and technology transfer platforms (RTTPs). Evaluation of the viability of the new solutions by LCA is an integral part of their research.
CERN
A unique range of particle accelerator facilities built to advance the boundaries of human knowledge. Physicists at CERN are seeking answers, using some of the world’s most powerful particle accelerators. Fundamental research is CERN’s primary mission, but the Laboratory also plays a vital role in developing the technologies of tomorrow. From materials science to computing, particle physics demands the ultimate in performance, making CERN an important test-bed for industry.